Different from previous studies that mainly focused on conventional estimation techniques, this paper explores the role of spatial dependence in the effect of corruption on environmental performance by using a spatial panel data model. Our results show that the direct effects, indirect effects and total effects of corruption on environmental performance are negative and highly significant, implying that corruption is detrimental to environmental performance. More importantly, we find that there is a significant spatial spillover effect between corruption and environmental performance, namely being surrounded by highly corrupt countries has a negative impact on the local country’s environmental performance. Our results also suggest that a larger population density will worsen the environment, while urbanization has a significant positive impact. These results provide some important implications for policymakers seeking to improve their environmental performance.

与以往主要关注传统估算技术的研究不同，本文利用空间面板数据模型探讨了空间依赖性在腐败对环境绩效的影响中的作用。我们的研究结果表明，腐败对环境绩效的直接影响、间接影响和总体影响都是负面的并且非常显着，这意味着腐败对环境绩效是有害的。更重要的是，我们发现腐败与环境绩效之间存在显着的空间溢出效应，即被高度腐败的国家包围对当地国家的环境绩效产生负面影响。我们的研究结果还表明，更大的人口密度会使环境恶化，而城市化则具有显着的积极影响。